This week's column is for those of you who say World Cup soccer is boring. To each their own, but understand first the sense of pride that accompanies the sport of soccer. Does it remind you of something? How about the Roughriders? The same feeling of support, faith and encouragement lives in the hearts of the soccer fans as it does the Riders' fans.Community and the sense of unity overwhelms their spirit as it does yours. I know Saskatchewan isn't known to host the majority of Canada's soccer fanatics, but I think the province has more in common with the sport than people tend to think.Soccer is a sport and this province is athletically driven, taking pride in its sports and athletes. No different are the fans of the European sport, football. World Cup is a sporting event hat brings communities in most of Ontario and around the world, together; it's a sense of unit. For my brother, however, it's in his blood. Ever since he was little, him and my dad would plant themselves in front of the TV and watch hours of soccer, and I mean HOURS! Ever since then my brother has eaten, slept and breathed soccer. Ask him about stats, injured players, who plays on what team in what league and for how long; he'll have the answer and spare you the hesitation. So for those, if there are any, that say soccer is boring, or what's the point? I say this, it's a sport that brings communities together; people from different cultural backgrounds bask in the glory of their country winning a nail-biting game. It broke my heart to see my team, Italy humiliate themselves along with France, Portugal and a few others, but I still will carry faith with me for the next four years when Italy returns to kick some butt and reclaim the cup!
